Hepatoprotective effects of methanol extract of Carissa opaca leaves on CCl4-induced damage in rat

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p><it>Carissa opaca </it>(Apocynaceae) leaves possess antioxidant activity and hepatoprotective effects, and so may provide a possible therapeutic alternative in hepatic disorders. The effect produced by methanolic extract of <it>Carissa opaca </it>leaves (MCL) was investigated on CCl₄-induced liver damages in rat.</p> <p>Methods</p> <p>30 rats were divided into five groups of six animals of each, having free access to food and water <it>ad libitum</it>. Group I (control) was given olive oil and DMSO, while group II, III and IV were injected intraperitoneally with CCl₄(0.5 ml/kg) as a 20% (v/v) solution in olive oil twice a week for 8 weeks. Animals of group II received only CCl₄. Rats of group III were given MCL intragastrically at a dose of 200 mg/kg bw while that of group IV received silymarin at a dose of 50 mg/kg bw twice a week for 8 weeks. However, animals of group V received MCL only at a dose of 200 mg/kg bw twice a week for 8 weeks. The activities of aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and γ-glutamyltransferase (γ-GT) were determined in serum. Catalase (CAT), peroxidase (POD), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione-S-transferase (GST), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), glutathione reductase (GSR) and quinone reductase (QR) activity was measured in liver homogenates. Lipid peroxidation (thiobarbituric acid reactive substances; TBARS), glutathione (GSH) and hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) concentration was also assessed in liver homogenates. Phytochemicals in MCL were determined through qualitative and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>Hepatotoxicity induced with CCl₄was evidenced by significant increase in lipid peroxidation (TBARS) and H₂O₂level, serum activities of AST, ALT, ALP, LDH and γ-GT. Level of GSH determined in liver was significantly reduced, as were the activities of antioxidant enzymes; CAT, POD, SOD, GSH-Px, GSR, GST and QR. On cirrhotic animals treated with CCl₄, histological studies showed centrilobular necrosis and infiltration of lymphocytes. MCL (200 mg/kg bw) and silymarin (50 mg/kg bw) co-treatment prevented all the changes observed with CCl₄-treated rats. The phytochemical analysis of MCL indicated the presence of flavonoids, tannins, alkaloids, phlobatannins, terpenoids, coumarins, anthraquinones, and cardiac glycosides. Isoquercetin, hyperoside, vitexin, myricetin and kaempherol was determined in MCL.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>These results indicate that MCL has a significant protective effect against CCl₄induced hepatotoxicity in rat, which may be due to its antioxidant and membrane stabilizing properties.</p

A review of the corrosion behavior of metallic heritage structures and artifacts

Awareness about restoring and preserving historically important structures and artifacts is gradually growing in many parts of the world. These artifacts and structures represent the culture, tradition and past of a nation. They are often also a source of national income through tourist activities. Besides masonry and wood work, metallic forms and relics are a vital part of the heritage which needs to be conserved. Certain metals have been used significantly throughout history in the creation of objects and structures. However, metals are prone to decay over time, particularly decay through corrosion. The basic mechanisms of metal corrosion, the various types of corrosion and existing remedial solutions are reviewed in this paper. The most significant factor affecting metal corrosion was found to be the surrounding environment, especially in marine areas. Different remedial measures can be implemented on corroded metals according to their specific properties. Recommendations for further study are offered at the end of the paper

Harnessing unexploited water resources - hydrogeology of springs in the midland regions- a case study from India

The paper describes a case study on spring development in a typical midland region of the Thiruvananthapuram District in Kerala, India. Field investigations show that there are eleven perennial springs, which can be developed as drinking water supply schemes. These springs are 'contact ' springs formed at laterite-sandstone, laterite- khondalite, and laterite-coastal alluvium. One of the springs developed between the contact of laterite and khondalite in the midland area is presented in this paper. The summer discharge of the spring is 28.800 l/day and benefits 100 local people. The paper also brings out a comparison between bored well and spring water supply scheme in this midland area.</jats:p

Synchronous location-aware media and augmented visualization for real world tourist (SMART): An application for Khalifatabad heritage site, Bagerhat, Bangladesh

© 2016 IEEE. The ancient city of Khalifatabad in Bangladesh (also known as Bagerhat) is famous for Hazrat Khan Jahan Ali and his monumental creations of various mosques and mausoleum. UNESCO proclaimed Khalifatabad as a world heritage site in 1985. Driven by both cultural and religious interests, millions of local and foreign tourists visit this site every year. At present, there exist several historically significant mosques, mausoleum, residence, ruins, large water reservoirs, archaeological excavations and artifacts. However, due to limited knowledge about the local context, less accessibility to historic information, and the poor guiding system the visitors are unfortunately being kept from a deeper understanding of the cultural values of the site. In such context, this research aims to develop an application for handheld devices that can feed seamless authentic information and visual aids to the tourists for them to enjoy an engaging and immersive tour at Khalifatabad. A literature survey on existing apps reveals that most of the tools are developed for certain objectives and rarely fit for direct implementation at Khalifatabad. Therefore, the challenge remains twofold. First to develop a conceptual framework, which would help the tourists to have a deeper understanding of the significance of Khalifatabad. Second, to develop an application through adopting the conceptual framework. In this, the paper proposes a four-step conceptual framework i.e. 'SMART' (Synchronous Location-Aware Media and Augmented Visualization for Real-world Tourists) solution, for presentation of the information and user engagement. Supported by location-based service (LBS) and various data structure to feed different interactive features this framework sets the 'user-experience' at the top. Being part of an ongoing research project, this paper presents possible scenarios explaining how the seamless and synchronous information may help the real-world visitors to reveal the past in a compelling and memorable way, and how it may provoke better understanding and appreciation of the context. This paper expects that the proposed SMART solution will uphold the significance of Khalifatabad to the real-world visitors, besides, as a prototype; will open the possibilities of further use to the other heritage sites of Bangladesh

Physicochemical properties of moringa oleifera Lam. seed oil of the indigenous-cultivar of Bangladesh

Moringa oleifera Lam. seed oil of the indigenous-cultivar of Bangladesh was extracted using n-hexane (H), light petroleum ether (LPE) (bp 40-60C) and chloroform/methanol (50:50, v/v) mixture (CM). The oil content ranged from 37.50 (H) to 40.20% (CM). The moisture, protein, ash and crude fiber contents of seed residues, and the density, refractive index, color, acidity, saponification value, iodine value, unsaponifiable matter content, oxidative state, sterols, tocopherols and fatty acid composition of the extracted oil were determined. The oil contained a high amount of oleic acid (C18:1) of up to 74.41% and a high ratio of monounsaturated to saturated fatty acids with moderate oxidative stability. The results of the present study were compared with those reported in literature for different regional habitats and species variants. © 2009, Wiley Periodicals, Inc

Comparison of Traffic Speed Before, During and After “Banci Lalu Lintas” at Federal Road ft005

Traffic engineering uses engineering methods and techniques to achieve the safe and time efficient movement of people and goods on roadways and it depends on traffic flow. The three main parameters of a traffic flow are volume, speed and density. Speed is an important transportation consideration because it relates to safety, time, comfort, convenience, and economics. This study is to show the difference of traffic speed for before, during and after a primary traffic survey called “Banci Lalu Lintas”. This study also is conducted at Federal Road FT005 with collaboration of Jabatan Kerja Raya (JKR). In achieving the goal for this study, traffic speed is recorded by using two methods which are manual method and Automatic Traffic Count (ATC). For before and after the survey, manual method is used and the data is collected for 15 minutes, while during the survey, ATC is used in collecting data for 24 hours per day in a week. The data obtained where the mean speed is recorded and is compared as well as analyzed between three categories which are before, during and after “Banci Lalu Lintas” and using statistical analysis. In result, the speed of vehicles for during the survey is the lowest compared to before and after survey where the differential percentage are 6.68% and 23.64% for before – during and during – after “Banci Lalu Lintas”. The study concluded that drivers tend to decrease their vehicles speed when there is an event or unexpected conditions on the road. The result is important for future development and safety of road in Malaysia

A REVIEW OF THE CORROSION BEHAVIOR OF METALLIC HERITAGE STRUCTURES AND ARTIFACTS

Awareness about restoring and preserving historically important structures and artifacts is gradually growing in many parts of the world. These artifacts and structures represent the culture, tradition and past of a nation. They are often also a source of national income through tourist activities. Besides masonry and wood work, metallic forms and relics are a vital part of the heritage which needs to be conserved. Certain metals have been used significantly throughout history in the creation of objects and structures. However, metals are prone to decay over time, particularly decay through corrosion. The basic mechanisms of metal corrosion, the various types of corrosion and existing remedial solutions are reviewed in this paper. The most significant factor affecting metal corrosion was found to be the surrounding environment, especially in marine areas. Different remedial measures can be implemented on corroded metals according to their specific properties. Recommendations for further study are offered at the end of the paper.</jats:p